Birdwatching is a popular form of outdoor recreation, and avitourism, overnight travel
to experience birds in a natural setting, is an important part of the worldwide growth in
ecotourism. Recognizing these facts, and knowing that the Texas Gulf Coast is a major
destination for many birdwatchers and avitourists, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
(TPWD), Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT), other government agencies,
communities, and tourism industry leaders are assisting the development of Texas Gulf
Coast avitourism. Their goal is to promote sustainable economic development while
conserving habitat for Texas birds. Projects currently under development, including the
Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail, are designed to bring a portion of the $238 billion
spent on ecotourism each year, worldwide, into Texas coastal communities. Through
conservation management, nature tourism development, and marketing, coastal communities
can gain economically while protecting some of the habitat necessary to sustain the rich
array of birds found in Texas.

TOURISM ECONOMICS AND RECREATIONAL TRENDS

Annual expenditures shown by the U. S. tourism industry amount to $417 billion,
providing $58 billion in federal, state, and local tax revenues. The U. S. tourism
industry is the second largest employer in America, providing 14.3 million jobs and $110
billion in travel-generated payroll (Eubanks et al. 1995).

In a 1992 report by the World Tourism Organization, ecotourism is shown to be the
fastest growing segment of the world travel industry, with growth averaging 30% each year
since 1987. Global sales totaled $238 billion (WTO 1992). A U. S. Fish and Wildlife
Service survey showed that in 1991, 35.6 million people fished and 14.1 million hunted,
while 76.1 million 16 years or older enjoyed nonconsumptive wildlife recreation, spending
$59 billion observing, feeding, or photographing wildlife. Thirty million took trips for
the primary purpose of enjoying wildlife, spending $22.2 billion on trip-related costs
including food, lodging, and transportation (USFWS 1993). The National Trust for Historic
Preservation found that travelers who travel to experience cultural, historical, and
natural history sites spend an average of $62 per day more than the average traveler
(National Trust for Historic Preservation 1994). A Roper Starch Worldwide survey for the
Recreation Roundtable, which interviewed 1,993 adults in person from April 16-23, 1994,
revealed that 14% of Americans involved in recreation were birdwatchers, more than the
number who golf or go motorboating.

According to the Texas Department of Commerce, in 1994 tourism was the third largest
industry in Texas. Collecting $24.5 billion from direct travel expenditures, the state
ranked 4th in the nation, with $21.5 billion derived from domestic travelers, and $3.0
billion from international travelers. This represented a 5.3 per cent increase from 1993.
Texas travel expenditures generated 435,000 jobs in 1994, representing 5.6% of the total
state non-agricultural employment, up from 3.8% in 1993 (Eubanks et al. 1995).

Recent studies at the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge showed that 75,000 people visit
annually to view wildlife, to fish, and to hunt. At Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge,
99,000 of the 167,808 visitors in 1994 were bird watchers. Avitourists interviewed in a
survey there were middle-aged (70% in their fifties and sixties); well-educated (76.9% had
attended some college); and wealthy (49.5% had family incomes in excess of $50,000 per
year). A majority did not fish (63 percent) or hunt (89.1 percent). They spent $14.4
million in the local communities: $6.16 million on lodging, $2.18 million on meals, $0.44
million on fuel, and $5.64 million on other purchases. The average visitor contributed
between $88 and $145 to the local economy (Eubanks et al. 1995).

THE TEXAS COASTAL ADVANTAGE

A 1991 survey showed that since 1988, more members of the American Birding Association
have pursued their hobby in Texas than in any other state (Wauer 1991). Four of the top 12
birding destinations in North America are in Texas: two on the Texas Gulf Coast (High
Island and Central Coast), one in South Texas adjacent to the Gulf Coast (Lower Rio Grande
Valley), and one in the Trans Pecos (Big Bend National Park) (Bird Watchers Digest
Nov./Dec. 1994).

Birdwatchers travel to Texas because the state has documented 596 bird species, one of
the largest numbers in the U. S. The Texas Coast alone has more birds than most other
states, with more than 400 species possible during the year. This bird richness results
from the diverse habitats found in Texas, from the woodlands and prairies on the Upper
Coast, to the South Texas thorn shrub and Rio Grande riparian forests on the Lower Coast.
Indeed, Texas and the Texas Gulf Coast are known worldwide for their excellent birding
experiences.

THE GREAT TEXAS COASTAL BIRDING TRAIL: LINKING USERS AND STAKEHOLDERS

In 1993, TPWD began the Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail, a sustainable development
project designed to capitalize on the potential for Texas to attract birdwatchers. The
trail unifies existing and potential birding sites into a cohesive and marketable unit.
When completed, the more than 500 mile highway trail network will link the users
(birdwatchers) with the stakeholders (private landowners and community business
interests). Ranches, lodging establishments, restaurants, and other providers of goods and
services will become part of an organized network that will serve and market to traveling
birdwatchers. With increased attention from the economic side, wildlife (or bird) habitat
will be considered part of the economic base for communities along the trail-a new concept
for many coastal community leaders.

The $1.5 million dollar project, with Phase I funding through the TXDOT Intermodal
Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991, is sponsored by the TPWD. Sites on the trail are
marked with a universal logo sign (Black Skimmer) and corresponding numbers that identify
the site on a trail map. Some sites have received enhancements, such as highway turn-outs,
boardwalks, viewing blinds, observation stations, and hummingbird gardens. A trail map
distributed by TXDOT and TPWD are available for purchase.

Proceeds from ongoing marketing will be used for maintaining the trail. In addition to
a trail guide, marketing will include a trail-sponsors program, trail products and events,
a quarterly newsletter, computer link-ups, and a quality trail-experience. Marketing and
trail maintenance are coordinated by TPWD through communities and siteholders.

The trail project, which has completed its first phase on the Central Texas Coast, has
been extremely popular with communities and birdwatchers alike. More than 95 sites are
included on the Central Coast section. Three private ranches have been listed, and 13 site
holders have provided many in-kind habitat and site enhancements. On September 8, 1994,
Roger Tory Peterson helped with dedication ceremonies in which the first trail sign was
unveiled at the Connie Hagar Cottage Sanctuary in Rockport, Texas.

Funding to complete the Trail has been obtained from TXDOT. TPWD is encouraging coastal
communities, landowners, and industries on the Upper and Lower Coasts to get involved in
this valuable endeavor. The Upper Coast opened in the spring of 1999, and the Lower Coast
opened in the fall. The Upper Coast houses 30 sites with more than 100 sites planned for
the Lower Coast.

When completed, the Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail will provide a model for other
areas interested in avitourism. TPWD and all site holders plan to provide a quality
experience for trail users with good habitat, birding enhancements, conservation
management, ongoing monitoring, and marketing. The Trail has generated a great deal of
excitement and attention from both users and communities. Trail planners and participants
eagerly await its completion, and hope that it will deliver both conservation and economic
development.